‘Our housing plan will be a boost to Paddock economy’

Jan 5 2008 by Sam Casey, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

MILL owners who want planning permission for a residential development have defended their proposals.

A detailed planning application for housing on the of Gledholt Mills site, on Allen Row in Paddock, will be submitted to Kirklees Council later this month.

Stewart Swift, Bob Kelly and Jamie Dyson, who jointly own the mill, want the go-ahead for the derelict buildings to be demolished and replaced by 16 town houses and 36 flats.

The proposals have been criticised by Greenhead councillor Mehboob Khan, who said the site should be redeveloped for business use.

A rival outline planning application has been submitted by Paddock businesses Cerros Properties and Clarke and Whitham to do that.

But the mill owners are fighting back.

Brian Dunn, the agent for the plans, said their proposals had been well received by the planning department and the council had agreed in principle to sell the leasehold on the site to pave the way for development.

He said: “We have had lengthy discussions with the council in the last two years and adjusted our plans to meet all their requirements.

“Instead of a derelict mill building that is eventually going to fall down, there will be a nice new development.

“There is a need everywhere for more affordable housing. This is a good location, close to the town centre and the university, that will be attractive to first time buyers.

“And there would be a ripple effect that would benefit the surrounding area – it’s like throwing a pebble into a pond.”

Mr Swift, who owns The Stair Parts Shop which sits on the site, added: “We have got fed up of taking a bit of a hammering over this.

“We would be fulfilling a market for affordable housing, the local community and shops would benefit and house prices in the surrounding area would most likely go up.”

Mr Dunn said the site was unsuitable for commercial use.

He said: “When it was built in the 1850s, this was a good spot for a mill.

“Communications at that time were reasonably good, but things have moved on and it’s not a good location for industry now.

“Businesses need to be close to the motorway network.

“It would be a retrograde step to go down that path.”

Clr Khan said Huddersfield was continually losing land that could create new jobs by being used by businesses.

He added: “My worry is for the long-term business and employment opportunities in Huddersfield.

“We don’t need more apartments.”

Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman said he also needed to be convinced housing was the best option for the site.

He said: “There needs to be pretty intensive consultation with local residents on this.

“I could be persuaded, but I’m not sure this is what local people want.”